Saturday, 2 October 2010

Bike Pure

I've just signed up as an Ambassador for Bike Pure. Here's what it's all about:

Bike Pure began as a simple anti doping brand, where athletes could show they ride without drugs and respect their fellow competitors. Now with an effective presence in 87 countries we are utilizing our talented membership to make a positive change to our sport. Please email us your suggestions to help sport.

CYCLESPORT 2.0 – A BLUEPRINT FOR A NEW START TO CYCLE RACING:

Bike Pure is making an impact in the fight against doping and it is through the continued support from every member in every corner of the world that we are making steady progress. We are compiling a blueprint for the future. A collection of proposals, which we hope once implemented, will improve cycle sport and help eradicate doping. These recommendations entitled: Cycle Sport 2.0 – are a new start for a damaged sport.

Nico Roche supports Bike Pure
by wearing the wristband.

Step one is accepting that there is a problem within cycling. We can either ignore it, or work to bring about change. Bike Pure is about structured repair and preserving our sport for the next generation. The second draft of our proposals was formally submitted to the UCI, WADA, professional teams, race organizers and national cycling federations with the hope of bringing about change. Everybody who has added their name in support of Bike Pure has a voice, their own ideas for an improved sport. We urge you to send us your own affirmative, workable suggestions on how to eliminate doping from cycling and improve our sport (regardless of how brief or detailed your idea).

1.We propose a lifetime ban from competition and coaching, for those who use, administer or are found to encourage the use of illegal performance enhancing methods. This protects the sport from corrupt coaches, managers, team doctors etc. whose lengthy careers within the sport can have a damaging effect on generations of professional riders.

This may be reduced to a three year ban only when a rider fulfills all of the following criteria:

a. Full disclosure of supply of drugs used by an athlete and methods used to avoid detection.
b. Provide a testimonial to young riders on the effects doping had had to their life/career.
c. Repayment of salaries and winnings during the previous 12 months of competition.

Exceptions:
- Riders under 21 years old would be subject to a 2-year suspension.
- An appeal committee would review the banned substance, if:

i) The prohibited substance is on the banned list but not verified to have a significant performance advantage.
ii) negligence is a factor in the positive return.
iii) or proven accidental ingestion by means of supplement or other.

In these cases a warning or less stringent one or two year suspension could be decided. Riders must be fully aware of the implications of doping and that a decision to do so can ultimately end ones career.

2. All testing to be carried out by a global testing Agency , built on competence, honesty and independence. This independent authority must have no affiliation with any cycling governing body, team or sponsor linked to cyclesport. The structure of the national testing bodies could remain but with active independent central control, lab monitoring and regulation.

3. On the second positive test by a cycling Team in any year, that team will forfeit automatic grand tour or race entry and be stripped of wildcard status, this will hopefully encourage more efficient internal controls..

4. Suspensions for riders to be fully implemented globally, regardless of geographical location and/or National Federation.

5. Offending riders and team personnel involved in administration of doping practices and the administers/suppliers of illegal drugs punished accordingly in line with judicial law. Team management will be responsible for endemic (3 positive returns in 24 month period) drug use- This will incurr a life ban from ANY professional cycling involvement.

6. The full public disclosure of all riders’ medication notes eg. Asthma remedies, Cortisone creams, Testosterone supplements etc. Mitigating medicines be collated on an approved list. All riders submit a full medical to be assessed by an independent body for approval.

7. Team Medical: The disclosure of all riders VO2 max measurements, so that profiles can be built up in conjunction with the impending Bio-Passport system.

8. Syringes banned at races for use by team staff riders. Vitamins and recovery aids etc to be taken orally. All prescribed medicine undertaken only by central independent race doctors. Brake the reliance on drugs.

9. Authorities working with previous offenders of doping to help improve the testing procedures. Former dopers, although part of the initial problem, would be able to provide information on how riders evade detection and the methods and practices involved in doping. Their reasons for doping could also be taken on board.

10. Publication of annual or real-time individual’s blood and urine profiles would lead to an increased transparency and thus trust.

11. Pharmaceutical companies must be pressured to report to competent authorities any anomalies and suspicions regarding the increase in demand/ consumption. These drug manufacturers Research and Development departments to keep up with the latest detection methods or drug manipulation protocols to place a ‘marker’ in all products for ease of detection.

12. Team, rider and national federation informed within 24 hours on return of a positive A sample. No media informed until B sample (if requested) result confirmation. Riders license is immediatly suspended.